--- title: "End of the Pedal Era: US Abolishes Manual Brake Requirement for Autonomous Vehicles" description: "The US has officially proposed removing brake pedals from autonomous vehicles. πŸš—πŸš« NHTSA believes that manual controls in robotaxis create unnecessary risks for passengers. This decision will pave the way for the mass production of the Tesla Cybercab and Amazon Zoox. πŸ€–πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ" date: 2026-06-27T23:13:52.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/end-of-the-pedal-era-us-abolishes-manual-brake-requirement-for-autonomous-vehicles tags: [] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # End of the Pedal Era: US Abolishes Manual Brake Requirement for Autonomous Vehicles ![The future of autonomous driving: a modern pedalless self-driving car on a highway at sunset, illustrating the removal of the handbrake requirement in the US.](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/27/shtatyi-otmenyayut-trebovaniya-k-pedaliam-tormoza-dlya-bespilotnikov/shtatyi-otmenyayut-trebovaniya-k-pedaliam-tormoza-dlya-bespilotnikov-1.webp) A fundamental shift is brewing in the US automotive industry that could permanently change the face of passenger transport. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has officially initiated a procedure to amend the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). At the heart of the proposal is the abolition of the mandatory requirement for physical brake pedals and parking brake levers in autonomous vehicles. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), published in the Federal Register under Docket No. NHTSA-2026-0728, aims to remove regulatory barriers for vehicles originally designed exclusively for automated driving systems (ADS). This decision paves the way for the mass deployment of next-generation robotaxis devoid of manual control elements. ### Safety vs. Outdated Standards The proposed changes affect FMVSS No. 135, which regulates braking systems for passenger cars. Current norms were established in the era before the advent of Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous driving technologies according to the SAE classification. Existing acts mandate the presence of a manual or foot-operated brake, which for modern robotic vehicles becomes not just a rudiment, but a potential source of danger. The regulator justifies its actions with safety considerations. The presence of pedals in robotaxi cabins creates risks of unauthorized or accidental passenger interference with the control algorithms. An unintentional press of the brake pedal by a person not expecting a reaction from the machine could trigger an emergency situation on the road. Eliminating unnecessary control levers allows for minimizing the human factor in critical moments. The initiative is being implemented within the framework of the updated Automated Vehicle Framework, introduced under the leadership of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison. This is not an isolated step: the department has already made proposals to review standards concerning windshield wiper systems (FMVSS No. 103/104), gear shift indicators (FMVSS No. 102), and tire placard placement (FMVSS No. 110). ### Economic Breakthrough for Manufacturers The innovation radically changes certification conditions for companies developing the purpose-built AV segment. Previously, manufacturers faced bureaucratic difficulties, forced to go through the procedure of obtaining individual temporary exemptions under Part 555 programs. These exemptions limited the volume of commercial fleet deployment to a cap of 2,500 vehicles per year per applicant. Abandoning the mandatory manual drive simplifies the market launch of specialized platforms that previously could not be fully certified: - **Tesla Cybercab** β€” a two-seater specialized electric vehicle designed without a steering wheel or pedals. Low-volume production began at the Texas factory in early 2026, and new rules will allow scaling its output. - **Amazon Zoox** β€” an autonomous shuttle with a symmetrical layout, which previously received a demonstration permit and is awaiting an expansion of its commercial quota. - **Cruise (General Motors)** β€” regulatory changes may allow the resumption or scaling of specialized autonomous minivan projects, such as the Origin, the development of which was previously hindered by regulatory uncertainty. It is important to note that developers using modified production vehicles with retained traditional controls (e.g., Waymo) will continue to operate under standard regulations. Waymo, performing over 500,000 commercial trips weekly in 10 US cities in 2026, will not be affected by the changes, as its fleet is equipped with redundant manual control systems. ### Safety Guarantees and Implementation Timelines In its official statement, NHTSA emphasizes that abolishing requirements for physical controls does not mean lowering safety standards. All vehicles without pedals must fully comply with existing regulations regarding braking distance and deceleration efficiency. Confirmation of these characteristics will take place within alternative testing procedures adapted to the specifics of autonomous driving. Public discussion of the current draft will last until July 27, 2026. If the regulator's proposals are approved, this will be a landmark moment in automotive history, finally cementing the transition from the concept of "driver behind the wheel" to the model of "passenger in a capsule".